Organic Feed-What is the difference?

[DrakeMaiden]

That's ok, WindyRidge. Good to see you are still hanging around here!

 

[Arctichicken]

I heard the arsenic type was only in "medicated" chick feed. Does the "non-medicated" chick starter/feed have anything bad in it... I am VERY new so just trying to learn all that I can... Thanks, Stephanie

 

[NS2A]

Quote:
Roxarsone is an additive they used to use to prevent coccidiosis (now it's more common to use Amprol or amprollium). That changes to arsenic in a chicken's system--yum! It is not in organic feeds (neither is amprol).

Any idea on how long before Roxarsone is out of their system? It's only fed for 18-22 weeks before they start laying. Not disputing, just saying?

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Roxarsone doesn’t disappear once chickens eat it. Some is distributed throughout the animal’s tissues, including the breasts, thighs and legs—meat that is later eaten by consumers.

Any increase in Americans’ levels of arsenic exposure is of great concern: The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates drinking water, considers arsenic a class A carcinogen, meaning that data have definitively shown it to cause cancer.

After reading the article quoted above, my best guess is that once it is in the chicken it will stay. Your best bet is to just quit using it ASAP. Limit your exposure. That is the best info I could find.​

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Quote:
I can't say for sure, but since roxarsone is defined as "an arsenic-containing antibiotic drug," then I think non-medicated feed should be safe.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

The article I linked above continues . . .

The compound also meets the guidelines of the USDA, the agency that monitors food safety, because roxarsone residues in chicken tissue don’t exceed the agency’s safety levels.​

 

[Arctichicken]

Quote:

Yeah unless you eat alot of chickens, huh? I would never trust something like that. I can't wait to start raising meat birds so we can all eat more healthy.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
Nope. You also cannot have anything like treated lumber, which I'm sure your coop has at least some treated wood in it. And, your bedding must be organic.

Partially true. You must be certified organic to use the marketing term "organic". Bedding is a natural substance and does not need to be certified. You are correct about pressure treated lumber, most people are using the recycled plastic timbers now where you need pressure treatment (like for skids).

 

[risurocket]

if we are feeding organic food can we say Organic fed? Probably not. I am getting all mixed up again on the rules.

The quote from my current chicken bible is: "Organic: This label applies to food products produced without pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, synthetic fertilizers, or bioengineering. Chickens yielding organic eggs and meat must be raised in accordance with the USDA Organic Standards, which include eating an organic diet and having access to the outdoors."

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams...m&page=NOPNationalOrganicProgramHome&acct=nop

After that definition the quote goes on to define Certified Organic... "a governement approved certifier must inspect the farm to ensure the USDA Standard rules have been followed." Sooo, I suppose technically you could label something organic if you were following the rules, but if you want the official seal, you have to pay for the gov't inspector.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

There are restrictions at farmer's markets that unless you are certified you cannot say anything about being organic.

However, if you are selling by word of mouth, you can tell your customers that you use organic feed and most people will find that sufficient for their needs.